Will Leitch GI6HKE
@willleitch.bsky.social
Northern Irish amateur radio operator. Also, journalist, broadcaster, podcast host and producer.
Hardly surprising. And sadly, not the first time.
"You can see the damage this has done within the BBC, where journalists who want to uphold impartiality feel they've been betrayed by the board."
@jonsopel1.bsky.social on the "mutinous atmosphere" inside the BBC following the Trump Panorama edit and subsequent resignations.
@maitlis.bsky.social
@jonsopel1.bsky.social on the "mutinous atmosphere" inside the BBC following the Trump Panorama edit and subsequent resignations.
@maitlis.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Hardly surprising. And sadly, not the first time.
Saturday afternoon. Herself is away out shopping. I could do all the things on my “Must Do” list.
Or I could sit here and watch The Desert Rats on BBC Two...
Or I could sit here and watch The Desert Rats on BBC Two...
November 8, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Saturday afternoon. Herself is away out shopping. I could do all the things on my “Must Do” list.
Or I could sit here and watch The Desert Rats on BBC Two...
Or I could sit here and watch The Desert Rats on BBC Two...
Went up to the shack there to “tune around the bands a bit.”
Anyway, I got two reports written for work. One has to be pragmatic about these things.
Anyway, I got two reports written for work. One has to be pragmatic about these things.
November 6, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Went up to the shack there to “tune around the bands a bit.”
Anyway, I got two reports written for work. One has to be pragmatic about these things.
Anyway, I got two reports written for work. One has to be pragmatic about these things.
I connected a fairly old Apple CDROM Drive to a Windows 11 laptop this afternoon, and got it working after downloading some Boot Camp drivers from the Apple Support website.
I now I have a thoroughly inflated view of my own IT abilities.
Also I can now view the only
CDROM I own.
I now I have a thoroughly inflated view of my own IT abilities.
Also I can now view the only
CDROM I own.
November 3, 2025 at 7:59 PM
I connected a fairly old Apple CDROM Drive to a Windows 11 laptop this afternoon, and got it working after downloading some Boot Camp drivers from the Apple Support website.
I now I have a thoroughly inflated view of my own IT abilities.
Also I can now view the only
CDROM I own.
I now I have a thoroughly inflated view of my own IT abilities.
Also I can now view the only
CDROM I own.
Reposted by Will Leitch GI6HKE
I've been getting back into the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series after many years, and the most relatable part is how everyday objects like doors and elevators have been imbued with artificial intelligence and it just makes them obnoxious and frustrating to use and everyone hates it.
November 1, 2025 at 8:55 PM
I've been getting back into the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series after many years, and the most relatable part is how everyday objects like doors and elevators have been imbued with artificial intelligence and it just makes them obnoxious and frustrating to use and everyone hates it.
Solid afternoon’s footering. Re-engineered the two arms of my inverted v ZS6BKW to make it safer in the wind. Then reduced the ribbon feeder line in 5cm increments until the SWR on the RigExpert came down to 1:1.1 on 40m. With the atu for some bands, ready at last for winter. Simple pleasures.
November 1, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Solid afternoon’s footering. Re-engineered the two arms of my inverted v ZS6BKW to make it safer in the wind. Then reduced the ribbon feeder line in 5cm increments until the SWR on the RigExpert came down to 1:1.1 on 40m. With the atu for some bands, ready at last for winter. Simple pleasures.
Anyone else ever have an occasional wee dip in their enthusiasm for getting on the bands? Just coming out of one after 3 months. Didn’t turn a rig on, tap a key, or key a microphone. Now easing myself back in and enjoying it again. Life happened for a bit.
The dip before that was about 25 years!
The dip before that was about 25 years!
October 16, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Anyone else ever have an occasional wee dip in their enthusiasm for getting on the bands? Just coming out of one after 3 months. Didn’t turn a rig on, tap a key, or key a microphone. Now easing myself back in and enjoying it again. Life happened for a bit.
The dip before that was about 25 years!
The dip before that was about 25 years!
That’s the first M8 callsign in the log. On 40m. You could say I’m a bit of a slow learner
October 14, 2025 at 11:54 AM
That’s the first M8 callsign in the log. On 40m. You could say I’m a bit of a slow learner
Finally ran a proper antenna analyser across my dipole today. Well, what a revelation! Now planning a morning with a ladder and incremental changes in shorter lengths to shift the low VSWR up just a wee bit in frequency. But we’re starting from a pretty good place…
August 21, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Finally ran a proper antenna analyser across my dipole today. Well, what a revelation! Now planning a morning with a ladder and incremental changes in shorter lengths to shift the low VSWR up just a wee bit in frequency. But we’re starting from a pretty good place…
Roof repairs finished so got my HF inverted V back up. Much better pulley system for the apex. Tidied away ladders, tools etc, but couldn’t find my yard brush anywhere. 🧹
Baffled.
Eventually found it 2 storeys up on the flat roof of a dormer window.
No, I have no idea.
#hamradio #amateurradio
Baffled.
Eventually found it 2 storeys up on the flat roof of a dormer window.
No, I have no idea.
#hamradio #amateurradio
August 7, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Roof repairs finished so got my HF inverted V back up. Much better pulley system for the apex. Tidied away ladders, tools etc, but couldn’t find my yard brush anywhere. 🧹
Baffled.
Eventually found it 2 storeys up on the flat roof of a dormer window.
No, I have no idea.
#hamradio #amateurradio
Baffled.
Eventually found it 2 storeys up on the flat roof of a dormer window.
No, I have no idea.
#hamradio #amateurradio
#stormfloris mostly sideswiping us in Belfast. Winds gusting around 50 mph, and oddly, sunny most of the time. All my antennas were down anyway but the roof work due to start this morning has been put back 24 hrs. How’s everyone doing in GM/MM? Stronger winds with you guys… #amateurradio #hamradio
August 4, 2025 at 1:14 PM
#stormfloris mostly sideswiping us in Belfast. Winds gusting around 50 mph, and oddly, sunny most of the time. All my antennas were down anyway but the roof work due to start this morning has been put back 24 hrs. How’s everyone doing in GM/MM? Stronger winds with you guys… #amateurradio #hamradio
The workmen arrive first thing on Monday morning to do maintenance on my roof, and replace all the facsias and soffits. No antennas at home for a week or two. Feels odd doesn’t it?
August 1, 2025 at 3:28 PM
The workmen arrive first thing on Monday morning to do maintenance on my roof, and replace all the facsias and soffits. No antennas at home for a week or two. Feels odd doesn’t it?
Me last night, 2200: “Best get to bed, need a good night’s sleep, busy work day tomorrow.”
My brain at 02 30: “Hey wake up! I’m just putting into your head the rhythm for ‘Bens best bent wire’ at 18wpm”
I’ve been awake since 0230.
#cw #amateurradio #hamradio
My brain at 02 30: “Hey wake up! I’m just putting into your head the rhythm for ‘Bens best bent wire’ at 18wpm”
I’ve been awake since 0230.
#cw #amateurradio #hamradio
June 10, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Me last night, 2200: “Best get to bed, need a good night’s sleep, busy work day tomorrow.”
My brain at 02 30: “Hey wake up! I’m just putting into your head the rhythm for ‘Bens best bent wire’ at 18wpm”
I’ve been awake since 0230.
#cw #amateurradio #hamradio
My brain at 02 30: “Hey wake up! I’m just putting into your head the rhythm for ‘Bens best bent wire’ at 18wpm”
I’ve been awake since 0230.
#cw #amateurradio #hamradio
Jolly nice morning doing POTA ssb in a rarely-activated park in Holywood, Co Down, N Ireland. Redburn Country Park, GB-2587. Only on for an hour but delighted with the stations hunting it down. The day went a bit pear-shaped after that but still, it was a jolly nice morning. #amateurradio #hamradio
June 6, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Jolly nice morning doing POTA ssb in a rarely-activated park in Holywood, Co Down, N Ireland. Redburn Country Park, GB-2587. Only on for an hour but delighted with the stations hunting it down. The day went a bit pear-shaped after that but still, it was a jolly nice morning. #amateurradio #hamradio
At my desk all morning writing scripts for a client. Just before lunch I took a quick tune around the HF bands - did a little FT8 on 17m and promptly worked French Guiana for the first time. That is why I enjoy this hobby. You never really know what’s coming! #hamradio #AmateurRadio
June 4, 2025 at 12:31 PM
At my desk all morning writing scripts for a client. Just before lunch I took a quick tune around the HF bands - did a little FT8 on 17m and promptly worked French Guiana for the first time. That is why I enjoy this hobby. You never really know what’s coming! #hamradio #AmateurRadio
Hello to all the people who followed me today thinking I was @williamfleitch.bsky.social
Unfollow me again by all means, cool with that.
Unfollow me again by all means, cool with that.
May 28, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Hello to all the people who followed me today thinking I was @williamfleitch.bsky.social
Unfollow me again by all means, cool with that.
Unfollow me again by all means, cool with that.
After my CWA fundamental class this evening I was buoyed up so answered a kind qrs station from Italy on 40m. A polite gent - cos my sending mistakes were an embarrassment. Oh well. Proper exchanges achieved and all logged. Thanks Alberto, IT9TTY. Onwards and upwards.
#amateurradio #hamradio #CWA
#amateurradio #hamradio #CWA
May 6, 2025 at 9:38 PM
After my CWA fundamental class this evening I was buoyed up so answered a kind qrs station from Italy on 40m. A polite gent - cos my sending mistakes were an embarrassment. Oh well. Proper exchanges achieved and all logged. Thanks Alberto, IT9TTY. Onwards and upwards.
#amateurradio #hamradio #CWA
#amateurradio #hamradio #CWA
On this World Amateur Radio Day I did a load of LCWO practice, lots of Better-icr tests and tried - again - to teach my tired old muscles sending with a paddle at 21wpm. Didn’t work anyone. Just worked and worked and worked. #cw #morse #amateurradio #hamradio #cwa #cwops #IARU #worldamateurradioday
April 18, 2025 at 7:39 PM
On this World Amateur Radio Day I did a load of LCWO practice, lots of Better-icr tests and tried - again - to teach my tired old muscles sending with a paddle at 21wpm. Didn’t work anyone. Just worked and worked and worked. #cw #morse #amateurradio #hamradio #cwa #cwops #IARU #worldamateurradioday
You know that feeling when you think about selling some of your gear and then you get a realistic and accurate assessment of what a dealer would offer for it, and you’re more than a little disappointed?
That.
#AmateurRadio #HamRadio #HoHum #NeverMind #IWasProbablyDeludingMyself
#There’sAlwaysEBay
That.
#AmateurRadio #HamRadio #HoHum #NeverMind #IWasProbablyDeludingMyself
#There’sAlwaysEBay
April 8, 2025 at 7:06 PM
You know that feeling when you think about selling some of your gear and then you get a realistic and accurate assessment of what a dealer would offer for it, and you’re more than a little disappointed?
That.
#AmateurRadio #HamRadio #HoHum #NeverMind #IWasProbablyDeludingMyself
#There’sAlwaysEBay
That.
#AmateurRadio #HamRadio #HoHum #NeverMind #IWasProbablyDeludingMyself
#There’sAlwaysEBay
Ok. Everybody keeping practising. (Use your own dialect) We’ll need it in a couple of hours.
“Thon’s a quare stretch.”
Again.
“Thon’s a quare stretch.”
“Thon’s a quare stretch.”
Again.
“Thon’s a quare stretch.”
March 30, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Ok. Everybody keeping practising. (Use your own dialect) We’ll need it in a couple of hours.
“Thon’s a quare stretch.”
Again.
“Thon’s a quare stretch.”
“Thon’s a quare stretch.”
Again.
“Thon’s a quare stretch.”
What’s that, BBC Weather app? It’s sunny? Aye, right…
March 20, 2025 at 10:32 AM
What’s that, BBC Weather app? It’s sunny? Aye, right…
I’ve finally done it. Thanks to the incredible patience of EI5KJ Keith, I have had my first ever CW QSO. No big deal for many people, but a massive massive one for me.
Baby steps. Total respect to the folks at CW Academy for getting me this far.
#hamradio #amateurradio #cw
cwops.org/cw-academy/
Baby steps. Total respect to the folks at CW Academy for getting me this far.
#hamradio #amateurradio #cw
cwops.org/cw-academy/
CW Academy – CWops
cwops.org
March 10, 2025 at 8:48 PM
I’ve finally done it. Thanks to the incredible patience of EI5KJ Keith, I have had my first ever CW QSO. No big deal for many people, but a massive massive one for me.
Baby steps. Total respect to the folks at CW Academy for getting me this far.
#hamradio #amateurradio #cw
cwops.org/cw-academy/
Baby steps. Total respect to the folks at CW Academy for getting me this far.
#hamradio #amateurradio #cw
cwops.org/cw-academy/
Had a guy at the house yesterday surveying and quoting for roof repair and new fascias and soffits. Then a lovely discussion about what he could do for me about antenna fixing points. If someone is going to come ‘round with ladders and a cherry picker, make the best of it!
#amateurradio
#hamradio
#amateurradio
#hamradio
March 6, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Had a guy at the house yesterday surveying and quoting for roof repair and new fascias and soffits. Then a lovely discussion about what he could do for me about antenna fixing points. If someone is going to come ‘round with ladders and a cherry picker, make the best of it!
#amateurradio
#hamradio
#amateurradio
#hamradio